Two Protected Area Management Advisory Units inaugurated in UW/R

Tumu, June 21, GNA - Protected Area Management Advisory Units (PAMAU), have been inaugurated at Tumu in the Upper West Region, to facilitate the management and protection of the Gbele Resource Reserve Project.

The two Units comprise representatives of communities within the Gbele Resource Reserve, in the Sissala and Nadowli Districts, who would collaborate with the Wildlife Division of the Ministry of Lands and Forestry, to ensure the successful implementation of the Project. Gbele Resource Reserve is part of a number of reserves, listed for protection under a six-year Pilot Project, being funded by the World Bank and Global Environment Fund at the cost of 7.6 million dollars. In a speech read on behalf of Mr Sahanun Mogtari, the Regional Minister, he commended the Northern Savannah Biodiversity Conservation Project for facilitating the community collaborative management of the Resource Reserve.

He appealed to members of the PAMAU to work as a team and give the required support to the reserve managers.

Mr Moses Dani Baah, MP for Sissala, and Deputy Minister of Health, called on the stakeholders to co-operate with the Wildlife Division, to ensure the sustainable management of animal and plant life. Mr Salifu Waah, Sissala District Chief Executive, expressed the hope that the inauguration of the two Advisory Units, would promote public awareness and involvement of the rural people in forestry and wildlife conservation.

Mr Moses Komoah, Wildlife Specialist, said the objectives of the Project include the support of community-based conservation actions and strengthening of the biological conservation and management capacity of implementing agencies, civil society and rural communities. He said the PAMAU would carry out policy decisions, arbitrate in conflicts and play advocacy roles.

The Tumu Kuoro, Gilbert Kanton V, who chaired the function, pledged the support of chiefs to ensure the success of the conservation programme.

Mr David Yakubu, Regional Coordinating Director presented two bicycles each to representatives of the 10 pilot communities to facilitate their work.